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Cayman Islands vs United Arab Emirates: which jurisdiction wins?
Cayman Islands vs United Arab Emirates — both credible, very different trade-offs. Below: side-by-side on the variables that actually move the decision.
| Cayman Islands | United Arab Emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax headline | 0% corporate, capital gains, and income tax | 9% corporate tax above AED 375k (free zones 0% on qualifying) |
| Formation days | 5 | 10 |
| First-year cost | $4,200 | $6,500 |
| Treaties | Limited | 140+ |
| Substance | Economic Substance Law applies to relevant activities | Free zone QFZP requires adequate substance |
| Banking | Top-tier prime brokerage and crypto-friendly banking via Cayman National & private banks | Emirates NBD, ADCB, Mashreq, plus Wio and crypto-friendly EMIs |
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